Portable firewall

Abstract

A self-contained, portable firewall is provided having a rectangular configuration with a catwalk and a railing on the top side for accommodating a plurality of manned firefighting stations. The catwalk can comprise two openings, which can be covered by doors or hatches, that allow exit and entry of the manned firefighting stations through stairs located within the firewall structure. The stairs terminate at the floor and lead to a plurality of reinforced doors. Embodiments of the firewall comprise central doors having side doors flanking each central door, and each central door operatively associated with a status light. The manned firefighting stations are fed from at least one fluid input located at the bottom of the firewall structure, and the firewall structure further comprises a plurality of vents, fans and fume hoods.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A firewall structure not integral to a pre-existing vessel or structure comprising:
 an internal space enclosed by a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a floor, and a ceiling; 
 a first internal stairway located within the internal space and comprising an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the internal stairway terminating at a first stairway entrance/exit located in the ceiling, the lower end of the stairway terminating adjacent to a fireproof or blast-resistant door in the first lateral wall; 
 a second internal stairway located within the internal space and comprising an upper end and a lower end, wherein the lower end of the first internal stairway terminates opposite the lower end of the second internal stairway; 
 wherein the first and second internal stairways comprise first and second intermediate doors, respectively, wherein the first and second intermediate doors are fireproof or blast-resistant and positioned on a respective first and second landing within the firewall to isolate the internal space from the first and second stairway entrance/exits, wherein the first and second landings are positioned intermediate the upper end and lower end of the first and second internal stairways; 
 a plurality of firefighting stations located along the ceiling, each firefighting station comprising a first pressurized hose extending beyond the first lateral wall, and a second pressurized hose extending beyond the second lateral wall; 
 at least one valve control tree fluidly connected to the plurality of firefighting stations, wherein the at least one valve control tree communicates fluid received from a fluid input; and 
 a plurality of vents located along the ceiling, 
 wherein the firewall structure is capable of being bolted or welded within the pre-existing vessel or structure to provide fire resistance. 
 
     
     
       2. The firewall of  claim 1 , further comprising wherein the upper end of the second internal stairway terminates at a second stairway entrance/exit located in the ceiling, and wherein the lower end of the second internal stairway terminates adjacent to a second fireproof or blast-resistant door in the second lateral wall. 
     
     
       3. The firewall of  claim 2 , wherein the first fireproof or blast-resistant door and the second fireproof or blast-resistant door are centrally located at the floor of the firewall, and wherein the first stairway entrance/exit and the second stairway entrance/exit are distally located proximate to the first side wall and the second side wall, respectively. 
     
     
       4. The firewall of  claim 3 , wherein the first lateral wall further comprises a third fireproof or blast-resistant door and a fourth fireproof or blast-resistant door distally located at the floor of the firewall, proximate to the first side wall and the second side wall, respectively, and wherein the second lateral wall further comprises a fifth fireproof or blast-resistant door and a sixth fireproof or blast-resistant door distally located at the floor of the firewall, proximate to the first side wall and the second side wall, respectively. 
     
     
       5. The firewall of  claim 4 , wherein the first lateral wall further comprises three egress lights corresponding and adjacent to the first fireproof or blast-resistant door, the third fireproof or blast-resistant door, and the fourth fireproof or blast-resistant door, respectively, and wherein the second lateral wall further comprises three egress lights corresponding and adjacent to the second fireproof or blast-resistant door, the fifth fireproof or blast-resistant door, and the sixth fireproof or blast-resistant door, respectively, wherein each of the egress lights indicates whether the corresponding door is opened. 
     
     
       6. The firewall of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fans in the first lateral wall to stimulate air exchange through the plurality of vents, wherein each fan of the plurality of fans is partially enclosed by a fume hood. 
     
     
       7. The firewall of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one valve control tree is located proximate to the first side wall, and wherein the fluid input communicates with the at least one valve control tree by means of a conduit extending along the first side wall. 
     
     
       8. The firewall of  claim 7 , further comprising at least a second valve control tree located on the ceiling proximate to the second side wall, wherein the at least a second valve control tree is in fluid communication with the plurality of firefighting stations, and wherein the at least a second valve control tree communicates with a second fluid input by means of a conduit extending along the second side wall. 
     
     
       9. The firewall of  claim 1 , further comprising a railing extending upwards from the first and second lateral walls and the first and second side walls, thereby enclosing the ceiling. 
     
     
       10. The firewall of  claim 1 , wherein the first lateral wall, the second lateral wall, or combinations thereof further comprise a plurality of lights proximate to the ceiling. 
     
     
       11. The firewall of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one 240V outlet. 
     
     
       12. The firewall of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second lateral walls comprise a length greater than the length of the first and second side walls.